Barda DC Graphic Novel

 

From the Publisher:

Darkseid is…and life on Apokolips is tough—but then, it is hell after all. And no one knows this better than Barda, Granny Goodness’s right hand warrior.

But Barda has a secret…she is in love. Or she is drawn to the idea of it anyway, whether it be the beauty of a flower, her affection for her closest friend, Aurelie, or the mysterious and fierce enemy warrior, Orion, who is the only match for Barda’s strength.

But when Granny decides Barda is becoming too soft, she assigns Barda a task that might be more than she can handle—to break the seemingly unbreakable Scott Free. And as Barda questions why Scott has such hope and what he might have done to promote such hatred from Granny, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected.

The only thing is, we do not speak of love on Apokolips…

My Thoughts:

Author/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu, @ngozi, tweeted out  "I am beyond thrilled to announce my very first graphic novel with DC COMICS! Written AND illustrated by yours truly—Buckle up and get ready for BARDA. Over the last two years I've become enamored with Jack Kirby's vision and genius. I CANNOT wait to show you my take on the New Gods!!!! This graphic novel on Big Barda's origins will be a blast for readers old and new—with plenty of that KIRBY KRACKLE!! Special thanks to my editors Jim Chadwick and Courtney Jordan. They are the absolute BEST. And thank you to @1010lilfoot for layout/thumb assistance! Also, @samhumphries —Harley gig was a blast. Thank you."

It seems that the once white, male centric superhero comic systems we call DC and Marvel have been diversifying not just their characters, but their authors/illustrators. I am guessing that the audience coming to comics and graphic novels are shifting, but I wanted to see how this graphic played out with someone like my husband who while not white, is a male who grew up on comics. Some of the things that are different in Ukazu's version of a DC comic is in her illustration style. She also puts a focus on the bad girl fury who just wants to feel love for the first time. She is emotional and empathetic. She appreciates beauty and friendship in a world that does not value either. And "we do not speak of love on Apokolips," much less kiss a boy/prisoner/torture victim.

I asked my husband why he stopped reading DC comics. I thought it would be the story line shifting too much. But no, it had nothing to do with the shift in authors or story lines. What he did not like was the shift in art style, so for him it was about the illustrations. So I showed him Ukazu's art work, and he felt that the gender of the artist was irrelevant, but he did not like the style. The characters were too soft looking. They did not look villain like or super hero like because of the softness of the lines. He felt that it was getting into manga territory and it was not his preference. 

I really think he is the expert versus me because I did not purchase comics when I was younger. I was not the intended audience for the comics coming out of in the 70s - 90s like my husband. Still, if I were to look at this as something I could "sell" to my students, I don't know how successful I could be because I am not sure who the intended audience for this graphic novel is supposed to be. That is where the 3 stars comes from. It is a good enough story, with well drawn graphics and a complex story line. I just don't know who I would book talk this to.  Perhaps the fact that this particular graphic novel has 3 editors listed is further fact that even the publishers do not know who the audience will be. 

Publication Information:

Author: Ngozi Ukazu

Editors: Marie Javins, Courtney Jordan, Jim Chadwick

Publisher: DC Comics (June 4, 2024)

Paperback: 191 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1779511133

Grade Level: 10-12